Bring me the Author

Lately around Burlington/Hamilton all the way to Toronto I have been seeing a lot of posters and overhearing the band name ‘Bring me the Author’. I took a peak online to see what they were about and low and behold – the lead singer is a childhood schoolmate and friend. When I checked out their music, I wrote my friend immediately to tell him his band kicks some serious ass and that his vocals are shockingly awe-inspiringly sensational. I say shockingly because this man can scream and growl. I was not aware of this growing up together.

I was thankful that Bring me the Author’s guitarist/vocalist Jamie Stieva took some time to answer some questions about his newly sought-after band.

(As aside: the coolest thing that happened just after this interview took place: a bunch of teenage girls walked passed me, all dressed up in their war paint, hairspray, eyeliner and Bring me the Author band t-shirts, they were pumped and on their way to a show).

Raz Mataz Magazine (RMM): How did you acquire such an adept band name?

Jamie Stieva (JS): Originally we were going to be simply The Author but a dude named Rockin’ Rod from a radio station in Kitchener pointed out that everything we had on world wide web was listed as Bring me the Author, which is a set of lyrics from the song, ‘Call to Arms’. We named everything this way, because domains for The Author were taken. When Chris and Craig heard this on the radio, they came to band, and we all liked it. So there it was.

RMM: Is your stage name trademarked?

(JS): We are currently in the stages of doing all that fun business that comes with being in a band.

RMM: How did you form, and how did you come to the decision to play the genre or genres you do?

(JS): We started out as a tribute band to Coheed and Cambria, where we learned about 20 songs together and performed them (without Craig). Jordan had some songs and we all liked the idea of being in a band together, it was fun, so we heard what he had and we decided to continue with working on original stuff. We play this genre because it is naturally what we all like and were influenced by – 2000s hardcore/screamo/emo.

RMM: Your website and other reviews have describes your lyrical style as hardcore/ heavymetal. Do you agree?

(JS): We see our selves as a progressive melodic hardcore band. For lyrics, I would agree, we are all based around a concept I have been writing.

RMM: Do you write your own lyrics as a collaboration or does one person in the band write? Do you ever change a song’s lyrics in live sets?

(JS): We don’t change them live. Most lyrics and kind of everything is a collaboration. We sit around and discuss them, and base them off the concept of the band.

RMM: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

(JS): I personally gather them from any where and everything. You never know what will inspire you. Songwriting is a fickle mistress. For me, most of everything I write I sort of “jam out”, just let it flow. My first instinct is usually my best idea. Don’t overthink.

RMM: Do you think that online websites and things such as SoundCloud are important for fans to find you and critics to find your music to write about?

(JS): Yes. Online presence in the ever-changing world of music (as it has become now) is very important; it is the way for people to find you.

RMM:What are your immediate music career goals?

(JS): We just want to get out there and play, it is why we do this and what we love, everything else is a bonus.

RMM: And long term?

(JS): See above – we want to play everyday.

RMM: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free?

(JS): We are all about it. We have all our music online for free right now at www.bringmetheauthor.com. It’s free because we want people to listen and come to shows. No one wants to pay for music for bands they don’t know. We want everyone to give us a shot.

RMM: Anything you would like share, from new merch to upcoming shows/tours or songs/albums?

(JS): New album, we’re recording this year, we just finished playing The Burlington Sound of Music. But mostly we are writing intensely now, we will have a bunch of stuff after August that we are working on.

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4 Comments on Bring me the Author

Can I just say what a comfort to find an individual who
genuinely knows what they’re talking about on the internet.
You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it important.
A lot more people have to read this and understand this side
of your story. I was surprised that you are not more popular since you certainly have the gift.